Decision details

The Council considered a report which sought approval to a scale of fees for electoral events from 1 April 2024.

The Chief Executive stated that, as Recommendation 2.5 in the report referred to the Returning Officer’s fee, he would be withdrawing from the meeting for the remainder of this item.  Accordingly, he withdrew from the meeting.

It was moved by Councillor Richard Henry, and seconded by Councillor Sandra Barr, that the recommendations in the report be approved.

In moving the report, Councillor Henry drew attention to the point that, whilst Government guidance concerning the scale of fees for staff supporting elections remained in draft form, the Department for Levelling Up Communities and Housing (otherwise known as DLUCH) had indicated that it would be applicable across Great Britain for all national polls from 2 May 2024 onwards, when the Police and Crime Commissioner elections would be held, which would be combined with the Borough Council all-out local elections.  Therefore, this was the last opportunity for the scale of electoral fees to be considered by Council ahead of those elections taking place.  He was sure that the shared desire across the Chamber would be for the Returning Officer to be able to employ the best possible team to run the elections whilst also meeting his statutory obligations.

In reply to a Member’s question on the report, it was confirmed that Polling Station Inspectors were three senior officers who visited polling stations throughout the day on election days to check on the welfare of staff and to ensure that each station was set out correctly in accordance with legislation and guidance.

Upon the motion being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED:

1.          That the scale of fees for electoral events from 1 April 2024, as outlined in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

2.          That the Chief Executive (as appointed Returning Officer) keeps the fees for electoral staff under review and be delegated authority to amend any of those fees following revised national guidance issued by Central Government.

3.          That the Chief Executive be delegated authority to create additional roles for electoral events with attributable fees, as required.

4.          That the Chief Executive be delegated authority to uplift any electoral staff fees as appropriate due to market forces or other factors (such as difficulty in recruiting staff).

5.          That the Returning Officer’s fee be uplifted each year following agreement of the JNC pay award for Chief Executives.

In closing the meeting, the Mayor announced that this would the last Council meeting that she would be chairing throughout.  She thanked everyone for their contributions to the meeting and throughout her time as Mayor.